Garrick Moritz, Gazette
A discussion of cell phone bans was on the table at Monday's School Board meeting, as was the development of a survey of the school's "culture climate".
At the top of the meeting, Supt. Guy Johnson made note of some new hires for the 2025-26 school year.
Faith Werkmeister will be taking the open spot as a 4th grade teacher, with junior high volleyball and junior high girls basketball added onto her contract. Johnson said she’s also interested in working in school plays so he’s excited to have Werkmeister join the staff.
Anna Nelson will be rejoining the staff as a Title-1 teacher.
“She was in the district years ago, then took a position in Sioux Falls, but wanted to come back to us, so we’re happy to have her return," said Supt. Johnson. "Also, something positive to note, we offered the Head Football Coach Position to Mr. Tim Hughes, and he graciously accepted and he’s very excited about it. There was a players' meeting not long ago right here in the library, and when we announced it to the students, well you could see how happy they all were about it, everybody was all smiles.”
The board approved the consent agenda, including these hires.
No cell phones?
The board then had a discussion about a cell phone-free school.
Several districts throughout the state have banned cell phones during the school day. How they enforce that and what effect that has had on their student body is something the board was interested in hearing.
As is, students are not allowed to use cell phones in class. Hallways and lunchroom are the only designated spaces where they’re allowed to be active.
They asked MS/HS principal Chris McGregor about how many issues he’s had this year regarding cell phone use and he told the board that he’s had about 40 violations during this school year.
The consensus around the board table was that it wasn’t so much the devices themselves, but the social media apps that go on them.
“I wanted to discuss the issues of the effects of cell phones on kids, and bullying issues associated with social media,” said School Board President Natasha Mendoza. “Teachers having to act as a policing force regarding cell phones versus actually teaching during the day. I suppose I’d like to see what our administration can research and see what other options are out there, and what it looks like with the other districts that have adopted cell phone bans.”
“There is a lot of research out there about detrimental effects that cell phones and social media have on the mental health of students,” said Clark, “and like you mentioned, problems like bullying to simple distractions in the classroom.”
“It’s certainly something to think about,” said Board Member Shannon Nordstrom. “You see stories in the media about these issues and I’m always intrigued about those reports and what they have to say. If only we could turn them off from social media after they leave the building too.”
“That’s on the parents,” said Mendoza. “If you don’t want you kid on social media, then don’t give it to them.”
“Yeah, the aggressive behavior is not limited to the school day,” said Nordstrom. “That’s the challenge. It doesn’t just quit when they go home. We run into many of the same problems at the workplace. It’s a challenge and a productivity issue. However, it does provide a direct link for families to have communication during the day, and that can be a very positive thing.”
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